Extension-ladder hook.



No. 719,081. PATENTED JAN. 27, 1903.

W. A. BURBRIDGE & E. QHBSEBROUGH.

EXTENSION LADDER HOOK. I APPLICATION FILED AUG. 7, 1901.

N0 MODEL.

UNTTEE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM A. BURBRIDGE AND ELIAS CHESEBROUGH, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY; SAID BURBRIDGE ASSIGNOR TO JOSEPH CHESEBROUGH, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

EXTENSION-LADDER HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,081, dated January 27, 1903.

Application filed August 7, 1901. Serial No. 71,125. (No model.)

To (Z5 1072,0122, it may concern: nature, for any unnecessary multiplication Be it known that we, WILLIAM A. BUR- of parts is attended only with looseness and BRIDGE and ELIAS OHEsnBRoUeH, of Jersey breakage. This simplicity is noticeably City, in the county of Hudson and State of shown in the casing, for instead of a hook New Jersey, have invented a new and useful with the attendant fastenings hung between 55 Improvement in Extension-Ladder Hooks, of two plates,with their attendant fastenings towhich the following is a full, clear, and exgether with that which attaches the Whole to act description, reference being had to the acthe ladder side, we have the simple combinacompanying drawings, forming a part of this tion of but two plates joined together and to specification, in explaining its nature. the ladder side bya single bolt. Besides this, 60

The invention relates to an improvement the case made as it is afiords the best possible in the construction of an adjustable hook for protection to the adjusting parts, at the same extension-ladders where one length or sectime permitting a ready access should occa-- tion is raised above or slides along the other sion require; but this, together with other sowhile the hook attached to the bars of the perior features in construction and combina- 65 sliding ladder engages or disengages with the tion of parts, can be more clearly seen and unrounds of the stationary ladder, thus conderstood by a special reference to the drawnecting or disconnecting the two, as occasion ings, in which-- requires. Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional view The object of the invention is to produce of two ladders, showing the completed hook 70 an economical hook combining strength, duin the act of supporting one ladder by engagrability, and compactness with attendant ing with the rounds of the other. Fig. 2 is a simplicity, ease of application, and practiview of the inside of the casing looking to cability of adjustment, characteristics most that side which is firmly attached to the side essential to the making ofa successfulladderof the ladder, also a view of the adjustingap- 75 hook yet but rarely found combined. These paratus. Fig. 3 is an inside view looking to characteristics are mainly attained by the prethat part of the casing which rotatesand upon dominating feature of my invention, which which is hung the hook. Fig. 4. is a crossconsists of a hook cast integral with the outer sectional view along the line 2 2 in Fig. 1.

a shell of the casing containing the means for Fig. 5 shows a variation in the method of adadjustment and so hung upon the same that justment. it can be bolted directly to the ladder side, Referring to the drawings as represented, and yet be capable of free rotation about a the adjustable hook consists mainly of the two circular edge forming the rim to the casing. parts which go to make up the circular box This rim is integrally joined'to the inside or casing inclosing the adjusting mechanism. 85 plate to the casting fromwhich it gets its The one part which we may designate A is fixedness, inasmuch as this inside plate is seen in Fig. 2 and is the inside plate of the bolted fixedly to the ladder side and by the casing firmly held to the side of the ladder by same bolt which passes through the outer plate the bolt 1c passing through the center of the 40 on which is hung the hook, but so bolted as same and against any possibility of rotation 0 to leave the outer plate and hook free to roby a stud entering the side of the ladder from tate as described. By this construction we the plate at the point It. This part A conare enabled to make a very strong hook havsists mainly of the back plate a, the circular ing the additional advantage of direct atplate r,cast integral therewith and constitut- 5 tachment to the ladder. Simplicity and reing the side or rim to the casing, and the part 5 sultant durability come from the hook being 5, also integrally joined to the back a and so combined with the casing that many of the forming a jacket or thimble through which elements which go to make up the ordinary the bolt 7t passes, the function of which will ladder are eliminated. This feature alone is be described later.

of the utmostimportance in a hook of this The part B is shown in Fig. 3, and consists roe not only of the outside shell b to the casing, made slightly concave on its inside surface, but also of the hook I), integrally attached to the side plate (7. Part B is fixed to the side of the ladder by the same bolt 7.: which passes through A, but is so affixed that Bis capable of free rotation about A. This is accomplished by means of the cubular thimble or jacket 3, forming a part of A, as described, coming through the aperture 0 in the side I), so that its end is even with the outside surface of B after B is placed upon A in position for rotation. The bolt 7c is then thrust through the thimble s, so that its head comes up flush against the end of the thimble s, and so even with the surface I). This head of course is slightly larger in diameter than the opening 0, and so prevents the side I) from slipping off. By this arrangement the hook has not only a free frictionless rotation, but also the advantage of being bolted directly to the ladder side, thus insuring a maximum amount of strength as well as simplicity in operation. Rotation is assisted by the rim 0" fitting about the guard 1", which rises from the .side I). This fixed rim 7", acting as it does in conjunction with the guard r, not only gives a tightness and compactness to the whole casing, but also gives support to the hook itself by distributing along itsinner edge the supporting strain which would otherwise come upon the hook at the point 0 Where it encircles the thimble 5, thus giving the hook comparative freedom of rotation at this point.

As a means for adjusting the hook so that it may rotate back to its original position after interfering with the rounds of the ladder or into the position shown in Fig. 1 we have the adjusting-spring d set on the thimble or jacket 3. (See Fig. 2.) This spring acts in conjunction with the dog g, which at one end is hung by the opening e upon the lug Z, which is attached to the inside of cas ing B. The other end of the dog 9 is attached to the spring 3 at the point n, while the other end of the spring 3 at the point n bears with forward tension against the dog g. By this adjustment the natural result would be to throw the hook forwardthat is, of course, after part B was placed upon A in position for rotation, the lug Z passing down through the opening e; but this forward rotation is prevented by the lug 2 on the inside of B alongside the guard 1" coming in contact with the lug 03, inserted just inside the rim 4", thus limiting the forward rotation of the hook and holding it as in its natural position in Fig. 1 ready to attach itself to or avoid the rounds of the ladder. Now as the hook moves up and down, coming in contact with the rounds of the ladder, it is thrown backward, so that tension is brought to bear upon this spring d, and it also is turned back; but when the hook has cleared the round of the ladder the spring then springs back, rotating the hook to its original position. EX". cessive backward rotation is prevented by The latch a is attached to part A of the casing at the point 11;, performing a function similar to latches in other hooks of this kind. Its superior and differentiating feature consists in the angular nature of its base, which forms two surfaces 11 1:. These surfaces bear up against the dog 9 and are held by the same spring which rotates the hook relatively in but two positions, corresponding with the two positions which the latch should assume to insure a ready manipulation, The latch also by reason of its construction and placement aids to a greater or less degree in the adjustment and manipulation of the hook.

In Fig. 5 we have shown a variation in the means of adjustment employing two springs instead of one, as in Fig. 4. Spring 0' is joined to the lug 15, attached to the inside of easing A. It is then twisted about the thimble of jacket sand attached at its other end to the lug Z. (See Fig. 3.) The latch is controlled by spring c, joined to lug If, one end of which rests against the rim 0", the other offering a yielding support to the latch a',with whose surfaces 0 o it comes in contact as the latch is moved in varying positions. The surfaces are necessarily made grooved in order to accommodate themselves to a spring of this nature. These springs furnish a ready adjustment; but we much prefer the combination shown in Fig. 2, where but one spring is employed, and there is shown a combination of the greatest ingenuity and whose feasibility is only exceeded by its simplicity of construction.

The circular formation of the casing is essentially a distinguishing feature of the invention, for with such formation a circular carrying the hook. Accordinglyby circular casing would he meant a casing providing a circular hearing by which the rotation of the side carrying the hook may be obtained.

Having thus fully described our invention, we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. An extension-ladder hook consisting of a circular casing and combined hook, one side of which casing is fixed to the ladder side, the other of which carries the hook and has a rotational play relatively to the fixed side sufficient to permit of the adjustment of the hook, means for securing the said casing to the ladder side that the side of the casing carrying the hookvmay have such rotational play, and means for adjusting and manipulating the hook, thus made rotational, substantially as described.

2. An extension-ladder hook comprising a circular casing and combined hook, one side of which casing is fixed relatively to the 'bearing is best provided for its rotary side ladder side, while the other side of the casing carrying the hook turns or rotates relatively to the fixed side, means for securing the said casing to the ladder that the side of said casing carrying the hook may have such rotational play, means for limiting the said rotational play of the hook, means for holding it in forward, normal placement, and a latch for pressingit back, as and for the purposes set forth.

3. An extension-ladder hook comprising a circular casing and combined book, one side of which casing is fixed to the ladder side, the otherof which carries the hook and has a rotational play relatively to the fixed side, an axial pin or bolt for supporting said hook and easing, lugs projecting from inside the casing for limiting by their interference the rotational play of the hook, means for holding said hook at a normal bearing, a latch, and means for its adjustment.

4. An extension-ladder hook comprising a circular casing and combined book, one side of which casing is'fixed to the ladder side, the other of which carries the hook, and has a rotational play relatively to the fixed side,

means for so combining the two sides of the casing that they will bear the supporting stress of the hook along their outer edge, an axial pin or bolt directly secured to the ladder side for supporting said casing and combined hook that the side thereof carrying the hook may have the rotational play aforesaid, lugs limiting by their-interference the rotational play of the hook, a combined spring d, dog g, and latch ct for the adjustment of the hook, and means for combining them, substantially as described.

5. An adjustable-ladder hook comprising a circular casing and a rotary hook integrally connected therewith and forming direct attachment with the ladder side, means for making such attachment, a spring and latch for regulating the rotation of the hook, said latch having the angular sides 4) o, and means for regulating the adjustment of the said latch substantially as described.

WILLIAM A. BURBRIDGE. ELIAS OHESEBROUGH. Witnesses:

W. V. GARRIsoN, MARTHA DIXON. 

